Rough cut is succeeding without any constructive tips (7)
I believe the answer is:
inexact
'rough' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'cut is succeeding without any constructive tips' is the wordplay.
'cut' means to remove the last letter.
'succeeding' becomes 'next' (next in a sequence).
'without' is an insertion indicator ('without' can be similar in meaning to 'outside').
'tips' says to take the initial letters (tip can refer to the top end of something).
The first letters of 'any constructive' is 'ac'.
'is' with its final letter removed is 'i'.
'next' going around 'ac' is 'nexact'.
'i'+'nexact'='INEXACT'
(Other definitions for inexact that I've seen before include "not precisely correct" , "Not precise, ambiguous" , "Fuzzy, muddled" , "Wide of the mark" , "Not quite right" .)